MVP Read online

  Table of Contents

  Look for these titles from Rhonda Laurel

  Copyright Warning

  ~ Dedication ~

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Epilogue

  ~ About the Author ~

  ~ Also by Rhonda Laurel ~

  ~ More Romance from Etopia Press ~

  Look for these titles from Rhonda Laurel

  Now Available

  Ebb Tide

  For the Love of the Game

  Shutter

  Star Crossed

  “Masquerade” Halloween Heat IV

  Print

  The Rhonda Laurel Collection

  “Masquerade” Halloween Heat MF

  MVP

  Rhonda Laurel

  Copyright Warning

  EBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/).

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Published By

  Etopia Press

  1643 Warwick Ave., #124

  Warwick, RI 02889

  http://www.etopia-press.net

  MVP

  Copyright © 2013 by Rhonda Laurel

  ISBN: 978-1-940223-15-5

  Edited by Lauren Triola

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Etopia Press electronic publication: June 2013

  ~ Dedication ~

  To Morgan and Seth, thank you for turning a short story into a romantic adventure.

  Chapter One

  Morgan Blake took one more sip of her wine before placing the glass back on the silver tray. She looked out across the five-thousand-acre ranch from her seat on the veranda, but her view was suddenly obstructed by two strong hands covering her eyes.

  “I’ve got another surprise for you,” Seth purred in her ear.

  Another surprise? They’d only been in Texas for six hours but she’d taken a tour of the Twelve Horse Shoes ranch, met Seth’s mom, Teri-Lyn, and got her first riding lesson on her new horse, Reed’s Fire. Then Seth had suggested they stay for the rest of the week. What more could he give her?

  “Will it be better than finding out the ranch hand I was talking to earlier was actually your mother?”

  “Don’t worry, you’re gonna like it,” he drawled, as he led her into the bathroom.

  Candles surrounded a huge claw foot bathtub that sat in the middle of the room, filled with bubbles and rose petals.

  “Want to take a bubble bath with your husband? Take your mind off lunch with momma tomorrow?”

  “Only if you wear the hat.” The minute she had seen him wearing that Stetson on the ranch, her heart had skipped a beat.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Morgan shivered at the feel of Seth’s big, strong, calloused hands as he undressed her. Seth took his time removing each piece of clothing from her body before removing his own. He then gathered her into his arms and placed her into the tub, without getting a drop of water on his Stetson.

  The hot bath felt like heaven, soothing her aching muscles and washing away the dirt from touring the ranch. But it was all worth it, especially getting to ride her brand new horse for the very first time.

  “Reed’s Fire is a beautiful horse. I think we made a connection.”

  “Well, that’s what I was going for, a love connection between you and the horse.”

  “I read this book…”

  Seth’s chest rumbled against her back. “What a surprise.”

  “About animal totems.” Morgan flicked bubbles onto his nose. “It was interesting. Animals come into our lives at different times as a way to teach us a life lesson. It’s a very interesting and spiritual topic. I’ll bring a book home for you to read. Your bookcase could use a little diversity.”

  “Hey! I have some pretty good biographies.”

  “And they’re excellent reads, if you want to be a general in the military or a pro athlete.” Morgan rolled her eyes at him.

  “I can’t remember the last time I had the time to just read a good book.” He kissed her shoulder.

  “Well, you could read at night before you go to sleep.”

  “Reading a book is the last thing I think about when I’m in bed with you.”

  “Good point. But when you come to the bookstore, you browse around and I never see you reading anything.”

  “That’s because I’m distracted by the owner. She’s really hot. Can’t take my eyes off her.”

  “I’m serious. There’s so much we don’t know about each other.” Morgan sighed. She had agreed to give their relationship a chance but the nagging doubt still lingered in the back of her mind that she would wake up one day and it would all go away. Seth didn’t want to talk about their differences and insisted their whirlwind romance wasn’t a flash in the pan. She wished she had his unwavering confidence in their marriage.

  Seth nibbled on her ear. “We have plenty of time to learn those things about each other.”

  “What genres do you like?”

  Seth thought about it for a moment. “Hmm. I like spy thrillers. And I am a history buff. What about you?”

  Morgan picked up her wine glass and took another sip. “Spy thrillers, absolutely. History, yes. I also like horror but it scares the crap out of me.”

  Seth chuckled. “So why read it if it scares the crap out of you?”

  “Because a good horror book is supposed to do that.” She shrugged.

  “Well, those nights you get scared, I’ll make sure to check all the closets and under the beds.”

  “Deal.”

  “What did I tell you? We have a lot in common.”

  “I’m glad you like taking baths but I never pictured you as a claw foot bathtub kind of guy.” Morgan put the glass back on the tray and relaxed against Seth’s chest.

  “I am not a claw foot bath guy. You love the tub in the penthouse so I had one installed here.”

  “You what?” Morgan splashed water on the black marble floor with her lightening quick turn.

  Seth assailed her with kisses to mute her practical protests about the tub. His hands ran along her rib cage, palming her breasts, then torturing her with his thumbs making lazy circles around her taut nipples.

  “Why did you do that?”

  “Because I knew it would make you happy.” Seth held her in place so she’d stop squirming.

  “It did but—”

  “Morgan Blake, are we going to fight every time I try to do something nice for you?”

  “No.”

  “You finished fussing with me, woman?”

  “Yes,” she sighed. “That was very nice of you to have the tub installed.”

  “Glad you’re beginning to see things my way,” he drawled as he continued his sensual exploration of her body.

  * * *

>   The sunlight filtered into the big picture window, jutting Morgan out of her cozy slumber. She nestled closer to Seth in the king size bed as he ran his hand along her ribcage and settled on her butt. Just as she curled against his body, the phone rang.

  “Hey, Bodine.” Seth rubbed his chest while someone talked on the other end. “No, I don’t know what time it is.” He yawned then paused, casting a sidelong glance at her. “She did? I’ll be there in half hour.” He hung up the phone and looked at Morgan. “Baby, Bodine said you put your name on the work roster for today.”

  “Who’s Bodine?”

  “He’s the ranch manager and a good friend of the family.”

  “Oh.” she yawned. “Yes, I did.”

  He chuckled. “Why did you do that?”

  “Because you did.”

  “I always work when I come here.”

  “I thought you said the work ethic around here was everyone helps out.”

  “It is. But that doesn’t apply to you.”

  Morgan sat up. “I want to do my part, whatever it may be.”

  “I know you can and then some. You could probably march out right now and milk a cow.” He laughed.

  “I wouldn’t go that far. The only thing I plan on pulling on this week is attached to your body.” Morgan flashed a devilish smile.

  “Besides you have a lunch date.”

  She groaned. “What time is your mother taking me to lunch?”

  “Around noon.”

  “Why did I agree to have lunch with her alone? Can’t we reschedule when you can come with us?”

  “She just wants to spend some time with you.”

  Morgan pulled the bed sheet over her head.

  “I know we made magic happen under these sheets last night, but I don’t think they have the ability to render you invisible today.”

  “Smart ass.”

  “You’ve met my mother. What was your first impression of her before you knew who she was?”

  Morgan lowered the sheet. “Before I knew who she was I thought she was a nice lady and we were on our way to having a lovely, polite conversation.”

  “Momma only has one face. What you see is what you get.”

  “Sure I can’t help on the ranch today?” Morgan ran her hand over his bedhead. He always looked sexy when he woke up. His green eyes sparkled in the morning.

  “Take one of my credit cards and have a good time with Momma.” Seth took his wallet off the nightstand and opened it for her to pick one.

  “Is that what you do with all your women?” Morgan raised an eyebrow.

  “Nope. Just my wife. And before you ask, you are the first woman that’s ever been to the ranch.” Seth gave her a quick kiss.

  “Good to know. What time do you have to report for duty?”

  “According to Bodine, I should have had my narrow ass down there by now.”

  “You tell Bodine I said there is nothing narrow about your ass.” She slapped his butt and followed him into the bathroom.

  * * *

  The ride into town with Teri-Lyn was relatively quiet. Morgan hit the scan button on the car’s radio, searching for a tune to diffuse the silence.

  When Seth had kissed her then hopped into a pickup to head to the stables, Morgan had contemplated jumping in front of it. He had assured her repeatedly that she and Teri-Lyn would get along great, but she still would have felt better if he were there too. But if he had been brave enough to meet her dad and crazy brothers, then she could muster up some courage to have lunch with his mother.

  The ranch seemed never ending as Teri-Lyn drove around the property. Morgan had assumed they all lived in the same house because Seth’s was huge, but his parents and his brother JJ had their own homes as well on the property. After twenty minutes Morgan finally saw the entrance to the Twelve Horseshoes Ranch. Once they were on the road and away from the lush greenery of the ranch, signs of a bustling city came into view.

  “We’re here.” Teri-Lyn pulled into a parking spot.

  The restaurant she had chosen was very chic and trendy. A huge brick fireplace sat in the middle of the floor. The walls were painted bold, bright colors and abstract paintings draped the walls. The hostess seated them immediately and a waiter took their order. Morgan looked at the menu, her cell phone, anything to avoid eye contact with Seth’s mom. Morgan gripped a blue linen napkin like her life depended on it.

  “What did that poor napkin ever do to you?”

  “I’m afraid the napkin is a casualty of my nerves.”

  Teri-Lyn reached over and gently prodded the napkin out of Morgan’s hand. “Take a deep breath and relax. I’m your mother-in-law, not a prison warden.”

  “Sorry. I’m just anticipating the third degree that should be coming.” Morgan grabbed the glass of water in front of her and took a big gulp.

  “I was surprised when Seth called me and told me he got married. Women have been trying to get their hooks into him all his life. And he fell for you so fast.” Teri-Lyn’s eyes fixed on Morgan.

  “Is this the part where I try to convince you that I am worthy of your son’s love? Or maybe I should apologize for not being what you expected in a daughter-in-law?” Morgan could imagine what she was thinking. Terms like impetuous, ill-advised, and lapse in judgment were all swirling in her head. She’d been thinking the same thing too. The lunch was a ruse to figure out if she was with Teri-Lyn’s son for the wrong reasons. She felt like she was caught in the crosshairs of Teri-Lyn’s intense gaze.

  “Well, to be honest, you are a bit shorter than I expected,” Teri-Lyn drawled.

  Morgan tried her best to suppress a smile. “Sorry. I’ve been this height since I was thirteen.”

  “Good to know. How about we don’t make any assumptions about each other? I am not one of those mothers who don’t want her sons to find happiness.”

  “But you do want to make sure they’ve found the right person?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “What kind of woman did you want for Seth?”

  Teri-Lyn looked at her for a while before she answered. “Someone who is kind, sweet, and knows her own mind. Seth has a pretty strong personality but there are moments when he’s relaxed and happy, he’s more like the good natured boy he used to be before football became his life. I’ve been seeing the old Seth since the two of you met. He’s driven, but he never slows down to enjoy what he’s accomplished. He’s always on to the next quest.”

  “When we met, he was trying to unwind. He didn’t tell me who he was or why he was on that island.” Morgan sighed and graciously sipped the glass of wine the waiter placed on the table.

  “He was wired about the Super Bowl. I told him to take a vacation. Didn’t tell him to take his whole team.” Teri-Lyn laughed.

  “I think they followed him there.”

  “He’s always been a leader and a good one. People follow his lead because of the conviction he has for what he does. You’ll see a change in him when the season starts. He gets a little cranky and very focused. You just let him go through his paces.”

  Morgan couldn’t imagine that side of him. He had to be one of the most easy going men she knew.

  “Why don’t you tell me something about yourself?”

  “Do you want the CliffsNotes version? Well, I own a bookstore.” Morgan started to tick off the basics of her life on her fingers like counting titles in a series. “I have lived in Philadelphia all my life. I am the youngest and the only girl in my family. I have three brothers. My mom died when I was nine. And my dad and my brothers can be a bit stifling sometimes, but I guess that’s because my mom wasn’t around.”

  “But it made you tough. Seth told me you don’t take any crap and you know how to handle yourself.”

  Morgan blushed. “I promise you I’m not some hot head.”

  “Seth needs someone in his life that has a backbone and isn’t playing the damsel in distress card all the time. Because he’ll spend all his time rescuing you. That is what my husban
d taught all my boys. You take care of your woman. End of story.”

  “He is very protective.”

  Teri-Lyn snorted. “My husband and those boys are chivalrous to a fault. When John and I first got married, we had the most terrible fights. He didn’t want me working. He thought I was supposed to sit in the house and tend to the hundred kids he planned on having. Boy did we have some epic fights.” She laughed.

  “Seth and Bodine seemed to get a kick out of me signing up on the work roster. I mean, I’ve never worked on a ranch but I thought I could help out in some way.”

  “Then you must be going bonkers in that penthouse. His staff in Philadelphia is pretty intense.”

  Morgan laughed for the first time that afternoon. “The cook won’t let me cook. I tried to wash a load of clothes and the maid almost hyperventilated.”

  Teri-Lyn nodded in agreement. “One night when I was visiting I made myself a turkey sandwich. What a mistake that was. I thought the cook was going to quit on the spot.”

  “We both knew it was going to take time for us to find a way to make it all work. It’s hard to simply let someone do something for you that you’ve been doing for yourself your whole life.”

  “Seth and his dad are cut from the same cloth. All you have to do is firmly let him know there has to be some balance, and he’ll come around. I haven’t been married for thirty-five years because it was easy. The best things in life take effort, time, and nurturing so it can become something wonderful.”

  “I’m glad we had this talk…” Morgan didn’t know what to call her.

  “Teri-Lyn is fine. JJ’s wife, Eden, calls me Mother Blake. I want to punch her in the nose every time she says it.”